Automatic fare-collector.



PATBNTED JAN. 7, 1908.

LND. 875,781.'

J. H. COLEMAN.

IAU'lOlVIA'IIC FARE COLLECTOR. APPLICATION FILED MAY 11. 190e. RBNBWBD 11011.21, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. 1A" W01 l" I IN HA if( .1', Il .1f-1;

J. H. COLEMAN.

AUTOMATIC FARB COLLECTOR. APPLIGATION FILED MAY 11, 190e. RENBWED Nov.21, 1907.

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WTNESSES:

. Q1 M AC/23222 A TORNEK PATBNTBD JAN. 7. 1908.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTBD JAN. 7, 1900.

J. H. COLEMAN. AUTOMATIC FARE COLLECTOR. APPLIUATION FILED MAY 11. 1900. RBNBWED Nov. 21, 1007.

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WTNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH H. COLEMAN, Ol` TOTTENHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA.

AUTOMATIC FARE-COLLECTOR.

Application tiled May 11,1906. Serial No. 316376.

10 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPn II. COLEMAN, of the village of Tottenham, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in riutomatic Fare-Collectors, of which the following is a specification.

Myobject is to devise means whereby fares may be collected as a passenger enters a car without requiring the use of a portable fare box, and whereby the passenger as he enters the car turns down the fare from the collecting receptacle, and my invention consists essentially of a collecting receptacle located outside the door of a car combined with means operated by a passenger as he passes into the car for turning down the fare, and a fare box into which the collecting receptacle discharges, substantially as hereinafter more specifically described, and then deiinitely claimed.

Figure l is a perspective view showing my apparatus in position between an entry and an exit. Fig. 2 is a plan view showing only an entry. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus partly in section. Fig. 4 is a similar view from the other side of the apparatus. Fig. 5 is an end elevation. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional detail showing a box partly inserted below the fare chute. Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the operation of the safety dogs. Fig. 8 is a plan view showing the top of a box and the mechanism for opening and closing the lid.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

Referring particularly to Figs. l and 2 it will be seen that the apparatus is intended to be located beside the entry to the car, The parts are all contained within a easing Aof suitable shape and having its top formed as a table or counter, on which the conductor may mark his transfers, make change, and conduct his other business with the passengers entering the car.

In the top of the casing is formed a fare collecting receptacle B. The bottom of this receptacle is formed by a rocking drum C suitably journaled in the casing. This bottom or drum has a recess o formed in one side to receive the fares.

It is evident, upon reference particularly Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 7, 1908.

Renewed November 21. 1907. Serial No. 403232.

to Fig. 3, that by rocking the drum C fares received in the recess a may be turned down7 or caused to drop down out of the recess as the latter reaches a position at or near the vertical. This rocking movement of the drum is designed to be imparted by the passenger as he enters the car. For this purpose I provide the step or platform D, so arranged as to be vertically movable. Ipreferably accomplish this by hinging the platform at one end b. To the other end is pivoted a connecting rod E, the other end of which is pivotedly connected with the shorter arm of a bell crank lever F pivoted on the frame of the apparatus at c. The upper end of this bell crank lever is pivotally connected with a connecting rod G, the other end of which is pivotally connected with the arm II, rigidly secured to the spindle of the drum or rocking bottom C.

A coil spring c connected with the bell crank lever F and a suitable stationary part tends to maintain the parts in their normal position with the recess a in alinement with the bottom of the fare collecting receptacle.

The upward movement of the platform is limited by its engagement with the casin(T A or other stationary part, as indicated at in Fig. l.

The vfare collecting receptacle is preferably provided with a cover I. This may be of any suitable construction provided it gives an opportunity for the conductor to observe fares dropped into the receptacle. I preferably form the cover of a bell glass, suitably held in position and provided with the fare slot f. This fare slot is preferably seinewhat hopper shaped, as shown, to make it easier Vfor the passenger to insert his 'fare as he passes it.

From the construction described it is evident that each passenger is enabled to deposit his Vfare in the fare box as he turns towards the entrance to the car. As he enters the car he steps on the platform D and turns down the fare, but a su'flicient time has elapsed since his deposit of the 'fare in the receptacle to enable the conductor to ascertain whether the proper fare has been paid or not, and to give the conductor the opportunity of stopping the passenger if the fare has not been properly paid.

In order that the Vfares collected may be readily checked by comparison with the number of passengers I also provide a fare register J, which may be of any suitable construction.

The rod or cord K for operating the register extends downwardly therefrom, and is connected with the lower arm of the bellcrank lever F, or other suitable rocking part. Thus every time a passenger steps on the platform D he turns down his fare and also operates the fare register. A comparison of the register with the fares received at once gives an indication as to whether all the fares have been properly collected or not. l

So far I have said nothing as to the method of taking care of the fares received and turned down from the collecting receptacle B. For this purpose I provide a chute L fitted about the rocking drum C, as shown. The lower end of this chute extends down to a point just above the upper ends of one or more fare boxes M. I show in the drawings two such boxes, and I provide within the chute a valve or deflector N suitably pivoted at the upper end of a short partition g. A spindle of this defiector is extended to the outer side of the apparatus, and is provided with a pointer 7L, by means of which it may be set to throw the fares to either of the boxes at will.

Each box is preferably set in a pocket i, formed in a drawer O, each -box being preferably provided with a separate drawer. These drawers, it will be seen, have a good long bearing in the casing so that they slide in and out with perfect regularity and ease.

The opening in the end of the casing through which they are inserted is preferably closed by a lid or door l?, provided with any suitable loclr.

As it is very important that the boxes shall be automatically locked before they can be withdrawn from the apparatus, I provide the mechanism which I will now describe. Each box, it will be seen, is provided with a hinged lid Q and a spring lock j of any ordinary construction. The lid is hinged, it will be seen, at that side of the box which is provided with the handle c. Suitably hinged within the casing are one or more hinged hooks Z adapted to engage the front edge of the cover and raise it to the vertical as the box is pushed into position (see particularly Figs. 6, 3 and l). The spring lock, it will be noticed, holds the lid slightly raised so that the hook is enabled to readily engage the lid. On the upper surface of the lid I form a lug R, having its upper surface formed as an inclined plane sloping down towards the hinge.

In the casing I hinge a closing arm S This arm while free to swing inwardly has its outward movement limited by engaging a suitable part of the apparatus. I show it arranged to engage the spindle m on which the hooks Z are hinged.

The lowerend of the arm S is preferably provided with a friction roller n. This arm, it will be noted, will swing freely to allow the lug to pass inwardly, but as the fare box is' withdrawn it will engage the inclined plane and force the lid down until the spring lock snaps to and securely locks the box.

' In F ig. 6 I show the box being withdrawn.

lThe closing arm S is just about to engage the lug, and the hook Zis about to release the lid.

In order to prevent the possibility of any dishonest person abstracting the fare box without locking it, by introducing a tool and pushing back the closing arm to the position shown 'in Fig. 7 I secure on the spindle 0, to which the closing arm S is secured, one or more armsl T. Each of these arms carries a dog p, adapted, when the arm S is pushed back, to engage one of the racks g formed on the lid of the box.

The cross bar fr on the front of the frame of the casing acts as a stop to prevent the dogs swinging outwardly. Thus the box is securely locked in the apparatus as long as the closing arm S is thus swung back out of its proper position. Under ordinary conditions the dogs do not interfere with the insertion or withdrawal of the fare box.

It will be noted that the spindles m and o serve for both fare boxes for the connection of the opening, closing and safety devices Vjust described.

The procedure with regard to the insertion and removal of the fare box will be substantially as follows; bring the boxes to each car, place them in the drawers, push them into position, and lock the door of the casing. The regular conductor will set the deflector N to throw fares into his fare box, and his relief man will set the deflector to throw his fares into the other box. At the close of the day the official will remove the fare boxes, locking each automatically as it is withdrawn. At the same time empty boxes will be placed in position ready for the next trip. At the same time that the full boxes are removed the number indicated by the fare register will be noted so that its indication may be compared with the number of fares received and transfers accepted by the conductors.

The advantages of my device are many and obvious. All the trouble caused by the necessity of having the conductor struggle through a crowded car to collect the fares is avoided. It is also rendered practically certain that every fare will be collected, as it is impossible for a conductor to inadvertently pass over a passenger, as he is nowliable to do.

A special official will The giving of change and making of transfers is also greatly facilitated. There is also no inconvenience to the passenger as the car platform will be larger than usual, and in any case but little time is taken in the collection of the fare or the giving of the necessary change and transfers.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A car a platform, and a doorway giving ingress to the car from the platform in combination with a collecting receptacle for fares suitably held in position on the platform; a cover for the collecting receptacle provided with a fare slot, and adapted to give a clear view of the contents of the collecting receptacle; means adapted to be automatically operated by a passenger as he passes into the car for turning down the fares; and a fare box into which the collecting receptacle discharges, substantially as described.

2. A car a platform, and a doorway giving ingress to the car from the platform in combination with a collecting receptacle for fares suitably held in position on the platform; means adapted to be automatically operated by a passenger as he passes into the car for turning down the fares; and a fare box into which the collecting receptacle discharges, substantially as described.

3. A car; a platform, and a doorway giving ingress to the car from the platform in combination with a collecting receptacle for fares suitably held in position on the platform; a vertically movable platform.; and means operated by the vertically movable platform for turning down the fares; and a fare box into which the collecting receptacle discharges, substantially as described.

4. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box below the lower end of the chute; a cover for the receptacle; positive means adapted to engage and raise the cover as the box is placed in position; means for automatically closing the cover as the box is "w ithdrawn; and a spring lock adapted to lock the cover when the latter is closed, substantially as described.

5. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box below the lower end of the chute; a cover for the receptacle; a closing arm hinged above the box adapted to automatically close the cover as the box is withdrawn; and a spring lock adapted to lock the cover when the latter is closed,substantially as described.

6. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box for fares; a guideway for said box below the lower end of the chute; a cover for the box 5 a hinged hook adapted to engage the cover to open it as the box is slipped into place; means for automatically closing the cover as the box is withdrawn; and a spring lock adapted to lock the cover when the latter is closed, substantially as described.

7. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box for fares; a guideway for said box below the lower end of the chute; a hinged cover for the box; a lug formed on the lid shaped as an inclined plane; a closing arm hinged above the box, and adapted to engage the lug to close the lid as the box is withdrawn; and a stop limitthe outward swing of the arm, substantially as described.

8. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box for fares; a guideway for said box below the lower end of the chute; a hinged cover for the box; a lug formed on the lid shaped as an inclined plane; a closing arm hinged above the box, and adapted to engage the lug to close the lid as the box is withdrawn; a stop limiting the outward swing of the arm; a rack formed on the lid; a dog adapted to engage the rack; and an operating connection between aforesaid arm and the dog whereby the latter is engaged with the rack when the former is swung in past a predetermined position, substantially as described.

9. In a fare receiver the combination of a chute for fares; a removable box for fares; a guideway for said box below the lower end of the chute a hinged cover for the bex; a lugI formed on the Iid shaped as an inclined plane; a closing arm hinged above the box, and adapted to engage the lug to close the lid as the box is withdrawn; a stop limiting the outward swing of the arm; a rack formed on the lid; a pivoted arm; a swinging dog pivoted on the arm and adapted to engage the rack; a stop limiting the outward movement of the dog; and a connection between the aforesaid arm and the closing arm whereby the latter is swung down to cause the dog to engage the rack as the former is swungl inward, substantially as described.

10. In a fare receiver the combination of a fare receptacle; a rocking bottom therefor journaled in the frame, and provided at one side with a recess for fares; a vertically movable platform; connections bctween the platform and the rocking bottom whereby the platform may rock said bottom; and a spring tending to maintain the parts in their normal positions with the recess in the rocking bottom in alinement w ith the fare collecting receptacle, substantially as described.

11. In a fare receiver the combination of a fare receptacle; a rocking bottom therefor journaled in the frame, and provided at one side with a 'recess for fares; a vertically movable platform; connections between the platform and the rocking bottom whereby the platform may rock said bottom; a spring tending to maintain the parts in their nor1 mal positions with the recess in the rocking down; and means automatically operated 1.0 bottom in alinement With the fare collecting,` by a passenger as he passes the apparatus receptacle; and a transparent cover for the for operating the Hturning down means, collecting .receptacle provided with a fare substantiallyT as described.

slot, substantially as described. l Toronto, Ont., 8th May7 1906.

12. The combination of a -fare collecting l JOSEPH H. COLEMAN. receptacle open to View; means for turning Signed in the presence ofdown fares placed in the receptacle; a fare JOHN G. RiDoUT,

box adapted to receive the fares as turned FRED. Y. KENDRICK. 

